This discussion requires you to watch this week’s lecture and read the article “We Need Social Solidarity, Not Just Social Distancing.”  by Eric Klinenberg. 

In his editorial piece to the NY Times, Sociologist Eric Klinenberg argues that we need social solidarity, not just social distancing to weather the storm of this current pandemic.

1) Why is sociological thinking so important for the well-being of society during this pandemic?

2) What values or beliefs in U.S. culturemight make it difficult for people to understand the importance of social solidarity and follow social distancing? 

3) Have you seen any examples of social solidarity happening during this pandemic? Explain.

Instructions: Before participating in this discussion, please  make sure that you have carefully read this page: Discussion Posting Information and Grading Rubric . Make sure to also read or watch any lectures upon which this discussion is based.

Before responding to this discussion, read Chapter 1 of your text, watch this week’s lecture,  and take the time to research the names of early American sociologists: W.E.B. Du Bois, Ida B. Wells (Links to an external site.) 

and Jane Addams (Links to an external site.).  https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/jane-addams

1) Which sociologists do you find most intriguing and why? 

2) From your brief inquiry into the American  sociologists listed above, what did you find to be particularly surprising or interesting?

3) Why do you think that these sociologists tend to be left out of textbooks (this one included?)  What do you think the impact of this is on students who are just learning about the field of sociology?